Awning window structure



April 8, 1958 F. M. O'BRIEN, JR

AWNING wmnow STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 19, 1954 INVENTOR FRANK M. O'BRIEN, JR.

AT'IO EYS April 8, 1958 F. M. OBRIEN, JR 2,829,744

AWNING WINDOW STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 19, 1954 INVENTOR FRANK M. O'BRIEN, JR.

ATTO NEYS April 8, 1953 F. M. O'BRIEN, JR 2,829,744

AWNING WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed April 19, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 L INVENTOR f? FRANK M. O'BRIEN, JR.

ATTOR EYS April 1958 I F. M. O'BRIEN, JR I I 2,829,744

AWNING WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed April 19, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 7 T

@) A \d Z l Q 28 INVENTOR FRANK M. 0'BR/E/V,J?. 23 :26 I ,24/ Z5 I m BY ATTORNEY April 8, 1958 F. M. O'BRIEN, JR 2,829,744

AWNING WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed April 19, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 18 2i 5/ I INVENTOR FRANK M. 0 BR/EN, JR, T

E BY I S Wm (WM ATTORNEY United States Patent AWNING WINDOW STRUCTURE Frank M. OBrien, Jr., Miami, Fla.

Application April 19, 1954, Serial No. 423,962

Claims. (Cl. 189-67) The present invention relates to awning window structure and has for an object a combined sash hanger and sash operator which eliminates the objectionable dropping of the top of the sash in its opening and closing movements thus maintaining the sash top portion in contact, in all positions, with the weatherstripped drip cap.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sash operating mechanism which in relation to the sash hanger affords a double motion multiplying the mechanical effort applied by the operator to reduce the time factor in opening and closing the sash, making for greater ease of operating and requiring a minimum number of revolutions of a crank handle to open and close the window while increasing the angle of sash opening.

A further object of the invention is to dispense with metal to metal friction in that all adjacent moving parts are shielded by non-metal (for example plastic or fiber) channels or bushings, thus eliminating galling of metal to metal contact, silencing the movement and extending the life of the mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an operating mechanism for the sash that can be removed from the window frame without taking the frame out of the building opening which is of advantage in case of required repair.

A still further object of the invention is to add greatly to the appearance of awning windows by so constructing the frame in relation to the working parts that all mechanism is completely concealed which further serves to keep out dirt, trash and other foreign matter as this is a problem in existing forms of awning windows.

A still further object of the invention is to floatingly mount the sash with no fixed points making for easy and quick operating under all conditions through a wide arc of movement with no lubrication required.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like I or corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary isometric view of an awning window constructed in accordance with the present invention and shown in closed position.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on an enlarged scale on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary isometric view showing the partially open position of the parts.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on an enlarged scale on the line 44 on Figures 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on an enlarged scale through the upper portion of the window frame showing the uppermost sash in partly opened position.

Figure 5A is a similar view of the lower portion of the window frame showing the lowermost sash in partly open position and also showing a form of sash operating mechanism.

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Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the window frame showing the position assumed by the uppermost sash when closed and interlocked with the next lower sash.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a window frame with parts broken away and parts shown in section to reveal a form of sash operating mechanism.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 88 in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view with parts shown in section showing a modified form of the sash part of the window.

Figure 10 is also a fragmentary perspective view in exploded form showing a clip for joining the sides of the inner sash frame.

Figure 11 is a similar view showing the attached position of the clip, and

Figure 12 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 1212 in Figure 9'.

Referring more particularly to the drawings in which one side only of the window frame and operating mechanism is shown, it being understood that the parts shown are duplicated on the opposite side of the frame, and it being further understood that any number of sash members may be mounted in the frame, 10 designates the sash members and 11 and 12 combined hanger and operating links which are pivoted together at 13 at their meeting ends and at 14 and 15 at their outer ends respectively to oppositely moving bars 16 and 17.

The upper links 11 are secured by fastenings 18 to upper portions of the side rails of the sash members 10, and such upper links 11 are angled at 19 where they extend inwardly of the window off the upper end portion of the sash 10. The angle or elbow 19 is an obtuse angle. The two links 11 and 12 constitute in mechanical effect a toggle lever. In the closed position of the sash 10 the links 11 and 12 are disposed in substantial vertical alinement except for the angled end 11 of the upper link 11 which projects diagonally upwards and inwardly to the pivot 14.

' The bars are arranged by suitable mechanism to move simultaneously but in relatively opposite directions. When the inner bar 16 is moving downwardly the outer bar 17 will move upwardly, and when the inner bar 16 moves upwardly the outer bar 17 will be driven downwardly.

A form of device for achieving this result appears in Figures 5A, 7 and 8, in which toothed racks 20 and 21 are formed on or attached to lower portions of the bars 16 and 17 in relation to mesh with diametrically opposite sides of a pinion or spur gear 22. The driven pinion 22 is in mesh with an idler pinion 23 which in turn meshes with a drive pinion 24.

A torque tube or drive shaft 25 extends horizontally across the window frame in the lower sill and is fast with the stub shafts 26 of the drive pinions 24 on opposite sides of the frame, such shaft 25 having a worm wheel 27 fast on the intermediate portion which is in mesh with a worm 28 driven by a hand crank 29.

As appears more particularly in Figure 4, non-metallic, for example plastic or fiber, tubular bushings 30 and 31 surround the pivot pins 14 and 15 and insulate the metal links from contact with the metal bars 16' and 17 and from adjacent portions of the channel frame in which the bars 16 and 17 are mounted.

Referring more particularly to Figures 2 and 4, to reduce friction the two bars 16 and 17 are mounted to ride up and down in a channel frame 32 having full length non-metallic (preferably plastic) insert strips 33 and 34, one on each side between the channel frame and outer edge of the associated bars 16, 17. A plastic or other non-metallic block 35 is mounted in the channel frame 32 between the bars 16, 17 with flanges 36 to lap the Patented Apr. .8, 1958 sides of the bars on the open side of the channel frame 32. A bead 37 and groove 38 between the channel frame and block 35 will serve to orient the block 35 so that it may be centered and not unduly crowd one or the other of the bars 16, 17. Inturned' flanges on the channel frame 32 lap the insert strips 3334 and portions of the reciprocating bars 16, 17.

As shown in Figure 4 the pivot 14 and 15 and the shanks of the bushings 30, 31 move up and down in vertically-elongated slots 39, 40 of the side closed wall 32 of the channel frame 32. The heads of the bushings 30, 31 overlap the outside surface of wall 32 and abut the links 11 and 12 respectively. The inner ends of the bushing shanks project beyond the inside surface of the wall 32 to space the bars 16, 17 from the wall 32 The top rail 41 of the top sash 10 has a deep inner upstanding flange 42 adapted in the closed position (Figure land 6) to seat against Weatherstripping 43 held by an adjacent part of the casement 44 or top sill of the channel frame, while a shallow bead 45 upstanding from the top rail 41 has permanent contact in all positions of the sash 10 with a Weatherstrip 46 on the drip cap 47.

Such drip cap is carried by the top sill 44 and may be generally composed of a substantially vertical wall 48 and an outwardly and downwardly disposed watershed wall 49. At the juncture of walls 48, 49 and at the inner obtuse angle side is a reinforcing strip 50, preferably integral with the walls 48, 49, and having a dovetail or other form of groove 51 to receive the similarlyformed attaching bead 52 of Weatherstrip 46 which is preferably in the cross-sectionally hollow circular form illustrated to present to the top rail 41 and its rounded bead 45 a deformable, elastic, rolling body dependent from the strip 50 which overlies the same and affords a rigid backing against which the body may be collapsed in part as the top rail 41 and its head 45 move beneath the same. The weight of the dependent body 46 will cause the Weatherstrip to gravitionally rest with its weight on the top rail 41 and head 45 so as to preserve watertight contact between the same in all angular positions of the sash 10, while the enclosed elastic body of air in the hollow Weatherstrip 46 will tend to inflate the weatherstrip to a round cross-sectional condition expanding the 1 lower portion thereof against the top rail 41 and bead 45 in liquid-tight contact. The rounded form of the Weatherstrip 46 will enable it to roll on the top rail 41 and bead 45 from the position of Figure 6 to that of Figure 5. The Weatherstrip 46 is shown to be readily deformable. When collapsed on one side the entrapped air will be compressed at the other side, balooning the Weatherstrip out to fold about the rounded head 45 to increase the surface area of sealing contact. The weatherstrip 46 is resiliently expansible due both to the rubber or other resilient and flexible character of the tube wall and to the elastic characteristic of the encompassed body of air or other gas within. The Weatherstrip 46 thus tends to expand against the top rail 41 and its bead 45 in which function it reacts not only against the strip 50 but also against the watershed wall 49 at the angle subtended between these two parts. When the bead 45 rides out from the closed position of Figure 6 to the open position of Figure the thrust will be in the direction of the walls of this angle and thus the Weatherstrip 46 will be kept up to its working surface.

In Figures 3 and 4 a reinforcing web 53 projecting inwardly of the window opening is slotted at 54 to accommodate the link end 11 and its motion which is one of translation with the bar 16 and of rotation about the axis 14. in the same way the lower link 12 of the pair has a movement of translation or a bodily movement accompanying the bar 17 with which it is entrained and an angular movement about the pivot point 15.

In operation, as the handle 29 of the center sill operator is turned to the right, power is transmitted through, the

torque tube or rod to the pinions 24, and through idlers 23 to the driven pinions 22, supplying power to pull rack 20 down and push rack 21 upwardly. The bars 16, 17 being correspondingly moved open the sash by moving pivots 14, 15 together. By rotating the handle 29 in the opposite direction the pivots 14, 15 are shifted apart thus closing the sash. Incident to the movement in either direction the pivots 14, 15 rotate in the plastic or non-metallic bushings.

The bars 16, 17 ride up and down in the channel frame 32 between the plastic. or non-metallic center block and the plastic or non-metallic insert strips 33, 34. The plastic block 35 acts as a guide, bearing surface and keeper. The channel frame 32 acts as a guide, bearing, shield and cover, and also as a gear box. The entire unit mounted in the channel frame 32 will snap into a window casement or frame of suitable design.

This mechanism, with the sash floating (i. e. no fixed points whatever) makes for easy operation under all conditions with no lubrication required.

Windows of this type heretofore have employed drop hinges, permitting the top of the sash to drop down in the open position to a point where water may enter. By the invention the top rail of the sash is completely sealed in the fully open position and in all other positions. The sashes may be completely Weatherstripped when closed, thus sealing the same on all four sides. This is of particular advantage in cold climates where storm windows must be used.

In Figure 6, the sash is shown in fully closed position where the inner flange 42 fits tightly against the weatherstrip 43 and the bead is at its innermost point engaging the inner portion of the rolling Weatherstrip 46. As the sash opens the pivot 14 descends tending to lower the top rail 41 but as the lower pivot 15 raises the outer end of diagonal link arm 11 will elevate causing the bead 45 to move outwardly without substantial dropping. The

V bead rotates beneath the flexible Weatherstrip 46 and apapproaches the crotch or angle between the drip cap walls 48, 49 so that the gap between drip cap and sash is diminished to a small value and the Weatherstrip 46 compressed commensurately. The bead 45 has closed the gap at a point well above the lower end of watershed wall 49 and substantially within the same.

It is to be noted that the plastic guide block 35, one of which will be installed for each sash 10 in each channel frame 32, remains stationary while the bars 16, 17 move up and down. This equal and opposite motion causes the top rail of the sash to move outward and upward through 43 or more of the window opening and inward and downward to the full open position. At the full open position, the top rail of the sash will be in approximately the same position as when closed. The weatherstripped drip cap is designed to hold the Weatherstripping in such a position that the top rail of the sash will always be in contact with the Weatherstripping.

Referring more particularly to Figures 9-12, inclusive, Fig. 9 shows a typical vent installation.

The sash rails 60, 61, 62 and 63 are designed to have the external glazing beads 64, 65, 66 and 67 as integral parts of the extrusion. The top rail 62 and the bottom rail 63 of the lower sash also have return flanges 63 and 69 to accommodate and lock the inner sash frame assemblies 70 and 71. The upper rail of the upper sash is not shown but the lower rail 61 is provided with a return flange 72 to accommodate and lock the inner sash frame assembly 73. These return flanges 68, 69, 72 and the return flange 74 of the side rail 60 also scat against the Weatherstripping 43 located in the main frame as stated in the previous description and shown more particularly in Figures 1 and 6.

The sash rails 60, 61, 62 and 63 also have return flanges 75 from the 45 external beads 64, 65, 66 and 6'7 against which the Weatherstripping 76, placed in the inner sash frame 70, 73, seats. In the closed position S of the sashes, as shown in Figure 9, the Weatherstripping 77 on the upper sash rail 62 contacts the bead 78 of the lower sash rail 61.

The Weatherstripping 77 is flexible or resilient, for instance rubber, and is deformed in the position of Figure 9, being forced rearwardly by the bead 78 in the closed position. In this distorted position the inherent resiliency of the Weatherstripping 77 tends to upright such Weatherstripping with the result that a tight joint is formed resulting in an excellent weather seal.

Referring more particularly to Figures 10, 11 and 12, these figures show a method of joining the sides of the inner sash frames 70, 73 by the use of a clip 79 advantageously made from extruded aluminum. The clip 79 comprises angularly disposed arms 80 and 81 having lugs 82 and 83 positioned to snap into holes or sockets 84 and 85 in the respective sash frame rails 86 and 87, forming solid tight corners.

In actual practice the complete window will be assembled and shipped with the required number of inner sash frames rails 86, 87 and clips 79, not assembled. After the window has been installed, the inner sash frame rails 86, 87 are placed around glass cut to size and the clips 79 pressed in place, the Weatherstripping 76 filling the spaces between glass and rails. The entire inner sash frame assembly 70, 73 is then inserted in the top sash rail 62 between the return flange 68 and the return flange 75 by an upward motion and locked in position by a downward motion, placing the inner sash frame assembly 78 behind the return flange 69 of the bottom sash rail 63. The upward motion referred to will be sufficient to clear the inner sash frame assembly 71 over the return flange 69 after which the sash frame is lowered so that the assembly 71 finally seats behind the return flange 69 and forwardly of the return flange 75, shown at the lower portion of Figure 9.

This method of construction makes the inner sash frame completely removable for cleaning or replacement and eliminates puttying which is expensive and untidy. The Weatherstripping 76 is substantially U-shaped about the edges of the glass 88 but has an additional outlying section 89 fitting against the return flanges 75 to maintain the window frames in place in the upper and lower rails and to provide sealing against moisture. For replacing glass, the inner sash frame is removed by an upward motion to clear the flange 69 and then an inward and downward motion to withdraw the upper inner frame portion 70 from beneath the return flanges 68, 75. A screw driver may be inserted under one or the other tapered tips 90 of the clips 79, snapping the clips out of the retaining sockets 84, 85. The sash frame rails 86, 87 are then removed from the glass and these rails are assembled about new glass 88. In other words, the glass is then easily replaced, the clips 79 reinstalled and the inner sash frame replaced in the upper and lower rails 62, 63.

The Weatherstripping 76, 89 and 77 in combination with the Weatherstripping previously described make a completely sealed window in the closed position.

Although I have disclosed herein the best form of between the bars having parts overlapping the bars at the open side of the channel, means to center the block in the channel, non-metallic bushings abutting the sides of the bars, a sash, and links connected to the sash and pivoted through the bushings to said bars.

2. In an awning window structure, a drip cap having an internal strip and a watershed wall forming an angle with the strip, a cross-sectionally tubular resilient airfilled Weatherstrip dependent from the internal strip and deformable against said strip and wall, a sash having a top rail in liquid sealing engagement with the weatherstrip movable in and out substantially horizontally.

3. In an awning window structure, a shaft in the lower transverse sill of the window, drive pinions fixed on the shaft at opposite sides of the window, idler pinions meshing with the drive pinions, driven pinions driven by said idlers, rack bars meshing with the driven pinions for movement in relatively opposite directions, toggle levers pivoted to the rack bars, and sashes fixed to the levers.

4. In an awning window structure, pairs of oppositely driven bars, toggle levers pivoted to the bars comprising upper bent hanger links and lower pitman links, a sash carried by the toggle levers, and means for driving the bars in opposite directions.

5. In an awning window structure, a frame, bars movably mounted in the frame, non-metallic strips between the frame and bars, a non-metallic block between the bars, a sash, and means including links operatively connected to the sash and bars for swinging the sash in and out incident to movement of the bars.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,316,442 Lootens Apr. 13, 1943 2,451,076 Edwards Oct. 12, 1945 2,610,371 Hite Sept. 16, 1952 2,622,672 Thomas Dec. 23, 1952 2,640,567 Pressnall June 2, 1953 2,644,557 Westrnan July 7, 1953 2,654,921 Blanchard Oct. 13, 1953 2,667,950 Bancroft Feb. 2, 1954 2,699,579 Jones Jan. 18, 1955 2,723,732 Pettersen Nov. 15, 1955 

